Golden Girl Ashwini Tests Positive for Anabolic Steroids
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, July 4: Ashwini Akkunji, the golden girl of India and pride of South Kanara who brought laurels to the native and the nation by winning the gold medal at the last Commonwealth Game and the Asiad, has been tested positive for anabolic steroids.
Ashwini along with 35 other athletes was all set to fly to Japan for the Asian Championships scheduled to be held from July 7 -11.
She was supposed to catch the late-night flight on Monday July 4.
The news has shocked South Kanara and many, including her relatives and acquaintances expressed their disbelief.
Along with Ashwini, Priyanka Panwar, another quartermiler athlete has also tested positive.
With this, the tally of dope offenders has rose to eight in the last few days.
The Athletics Federation of India has provisionally suspended both the athletes pending a hearing by a NADA disciplinary panel.
“It is sad to announce that two more athletes - Ashwini Akkunji and Priyanka Panwar - tested positive for anabolic steroids. We have provisionally suspended them. Next, they will be called for ‘B’ sample tests and then the necessary procedure will be followed,” Dogra told reporters.
Akkunji and Panwar were named in the 4x400m relay team for the Asian Championships, and Dogra said two other athletes in the 37-member team will take their places.
"We cannot send any replacement of the two athletes now but we will field a relay team in Japan. Two other athletes (besides Tintu Luka and Mrudula Korada) from the team will run in the relay," he said.